Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity

Origen

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I am sure most of you have heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. For those who have not, Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian. He was fiercely anti-Nazi and one of the few voices who spoke out against Hitler. Of course it cost him his life. He was hanged on 9 April 1945.

Bonhoeffer had a theory. It has been labeled Bonhoeffer’s theory of stupidity. According to Bonhoeffer stupidity is a far greater threat than human evil. Evil can be protested, exposed, and even, to some degree, prevented by force. Not so stupidity, he states:

Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed — in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical — and when facts are irrefutable, they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack.” (See Letters and Papers from Prison)

Given today's world and the dumbing down of society (i.e. endless conspiracy theories, flat earthers, the lowering of standards in schools) Bonhoeffer 100% correct.

"The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm (Pro. 13:20 CSB).

Thoughts?
 

Josiah

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Yeah.

The "problem" is everyone thinks this accurately describes everyone else.



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